Day three. Nov. 3rd, 2005.
Today was/is a crisp sunny day just itchin' to get some work done. In that case I took a 3 mile walk, stopping by the post office to retrieve a weeks worth of mail, 1/2 of which was promptly deposited in the recyclable bin when I got home.

The temperature was 24º F. or 4.4º C. when I got up this morning. We were able to relive the turning back of the clocks a second time since we didn't turn them back here at home on the 31st or last night when we came home. Somehow I think it was as much of a thrill as it was up in Quebec.

I did some chores and ate breakfast before going out to walk so the sun was higher and the temp had risen to 45º F./7.2 C. , which made for a pleasant walk. Infact I worked up a sweat by the time I arrived back home.

Instead of persuing my strength workout in the gym, I put the lawn furniture in storage and did some more garden cleanup. The trees finished up their show while we were away and now for the most part, stand naked to the elements for all to see.

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When we arrived by train in Quebec city and we exited the beautiful train station, we met a couple who like us were standing curbside waiting for a cab to carry us UP the mountain to the Chateau. Cabs were few and far between and the crowd waiting for one was growing rapidly. The Lady we had met coming out of the station was pleasantly agressive and commandereered the next cab to arrive. The 4 of us crammed ourselves into the cab along with our luggage. In the course of our conversation we learned that they were meeting a boat from the Princess Line....the Sea Princess...and would be departing with that boat the next evening, cruising down to Florida where they live.

The Sea Princess from the terrace outside the Chateau Frontenac.

I've seen pictures of these pleasure behemoths, but never up close. Wow, they are huge! I've been on USN aircraft carriers which are bigger, but for a pleasure boat...man-o-man you could put my whole village in one of those babies and never bump into your neighbor.

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The Chateau Frontenac was everything and more that it was advertised to be. We did encounter a slight hitch when checking in. To the hotel staff's chagrin, just as we arrived, their computer system went kerflooey. So, they gave us a chit for two free drinks of our choice at the bar while we were waiting for the system to be repaired. Within 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour one of the desk clerks sought us out in the bar to tell us that the computers were operational and we could check in.

The view of the inner court yard from our room on the 6th floor.

Elevator, front lobby at Chateau Frontenac.

We ate our first dinner at the Chateau in the Café Terrase

This table was just a decorative display at the entrance to the dining room.

We ate from an incrediblely sumptuous buffet, and watched the tourists stroll the terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River and the city of Levis on the opposite shore.



Tomorrow: touring in the rain...